Method and apparatus for marking metal strip



April 10, 1956 D. s. MEDCALF 2,741,585

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MARKING METAL STRIP Filed March 2, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

DONALD S. MEDCALF flaw/1,04%

HIS ATTORNEY April 10, 1956 D. s. MEDCALF METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MARKING METAL STRIP 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 2, 1953 FROM UNCOILER TO PLATING CELL INVENTOR.

DONALD MEDCALF HIS ATTORNEY IVIETHOD AYD APPARATUS FOR MARKING METAL STRIP Donald S. Medcalf, Concord, Calif, assigns: to Unite-d States Steel Corporation, a corporation of New Jersey Application March 2, 1953, Serial No. 339,508

8 Claims. Cl. 204-23 This invention relates to a method and device for marking plated metal strip, such as electrolytic tinplate.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved method and device for placing identifying marks on plated metal strip, for example to indicate the source of the product or to distinguish a heavier plated surface from a lighter plated surface on the same strip, without adversely affecting the product.

A further object is to provide an improved marking method and device in which the surface of metal strip is burnished in any desired pattern prior to plating, the pattern remaining visible after the surface has been plated.

A more specific object is to provide an improved marking method and device in which the surface of continuous metal strip is subjected to the action of power driven burnishing brushes before it is plated, and said brushes are arranged to mark any desired pattern on the strip, which pattern remains visible after plating.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I have provided improved details of structure, a preferred form of which is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a portion of a metal plating line which is equipped with a marking device embodying features of the present invention; and

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the parts shown in Figure 1.

The drawing shows somewhat schematically a portion of a continuous strip plating line which includes a framework 10 and spaced apart rolls 12 and 13. Continuous strip S travels from right to left over said rolls and the portion between the rolls is taut. The portion of the line illustrated is situated between an uncoiler and a plating cell. These two mechanisms are indicated only by legends in the drawing, since they can be of any standard or desired construction and per se are not part of the present invention. In the example of an electrotinning line, reference can be made to The Making, Shaping and Treating of Steel, published by United States Steel Company, sixth edition (1951), pages 978 to 987, for a complete showing. Mechanisms such as the drag bridle, pickler, alkaline cleaner and pin hole detector, commonly used in such lines between the uncoiler and the plating cell, normally precede the marking device of my invention, although other sequences may be possible.

In accordance with the present invention, a transverse beam 10a of the framework 10 carries a pair of spaced apart depending brackets 14 preferably located outside the opposite edges of the strip S. Arms 15 are pivotally supported on said brackets. The beam 10a also carries a second pair of spaced apart brackets 16 located directly above the respective brackets 1 and arms 15. Bolts 17 are attached to the arms 15 and extend upwardly through enlarged openings in the brackets 16. Lock nuts 18 are threadedly engaged with the bolts 17 and abut the upper and lower faces of brackets 16 for ad- 'ice justably supporting the arms 15. The free ends of these arms carry bearings 19 within which a removable transverse shaft 20 is rotatably mounted. This shaft carries a plurality of wire burnishing brushes 21 sepa-' rated by spacer sleeves 22 and held in place by nuts 23. The shaft also carries a drive pulley 24 and the framework 10 carries a drive motor 25 connected to said pulley via a belt 26.

The position of the arms 15 is adjusted through the lock nuts 18 so that the burnishing brushes 21 bear against the taut portion of the strip S between the rolls 12 and 13 with appropriate pressure. The brushes are driven, and the resulting abrasive action marks the portion of the strip which they bear against. In the example illustrated they produce a uniform pattern of narrow stripes on the strip, but other patterns can be obtained by use of appropriate brushes. When the strip subsequently is plated, the pattern remains visible.

Preferably the motor 25 is reversible so that the brushes 21 can be driven in either direction to promote uniform wear. In addition the framework carries a dressing mechanism 27 for these brushes. Said mechanism includes a pair of guide rods 28 suitably attached to the framework 10, a fitting 29 slidably supported on the rods, a bracket 30 fixed to said fitting, and an abrasive stone 31 carried by said bracket in a position to contact the circumference of the brushes. The stone is adjustably fastened to the bracket by screws 32 so that it can be moved toward and away from the brushes. When it is desired to dress the brushes, the screws 32 are adjusted to bring the stone into contact with the brushes. The assembly of the fitting 29, bracket 30 and stone 31 is then moved along the rods 23 across the various brushes.

From the foregoing description it is seen that the present invention provides a simple and effective device and method for applying identifying marks to plated metal strip. One specific application for which I have found the invention particularly useful is in an electrotinning line constructed to plate one face of the strip with a heavier tin coating than the other face. I apply the markings to the face which has the lighter coating to assure that this face is used on the outside of containers subsequently made from the strip.

While I have shown and described only a single embodiment of the invention, it is apparent that modifications may arise. Therefore, I do not wish to be limited to the disclosure set forth but only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a plating line for metal strip which includes a framework and rolls carried by said framework and over which the strip passes, a marking device comprising a burnishing brush of less width than the strip, means rotatably supporting said brush in a position to contact a portion of the strip face while leaving other portions of the same face transversely of said brush free of contact therewith, and drive means for rotating said brush to produce a pattern consisting of individually visible burnished and unburnished areas alternating across the strip face.

2. In a plating line for metal strip which includes a framework and rolls carried by said framework and over which the strip passes, a marking device comprising support means adjustably mounted on said framework, a shaft rotatably mounted on said support means and ex tending transversely of the strip, a burnishing brush of less width than the strip carried by said shaft and adapted to contact a portion of the strip face while leaving other portions of the same face transversely of said brush free of contact therewith, and drive means for rotating said brush to produce a pattern consisting of individually visi- Patented Apr. 10, 1 956 menses 3 ble burnished and unburnished areas alternating across the strip face.

3. A marking device as defined in claim 2 in which said shaft carries a plurality of transverselyspaced, apart burnishing brushes each of less width, than the strip and with said, framework. of a marking device comprising a 'burnishing; brush of less width than the strip, meansrotatably supporting said brush from, said framework in a. position tovcontact a portion of the strip face between saidyuncoiler and said cell while leaving other portions ,of the same face transversely of. said brush free of contact therewith, and drive means for rotating said brush to produce a pattern consisting of individually visible burnished and nnbnrnished areas alternating across the strip face.

6. In a plating line for metal strip which includes an uncoiler, an electrolytic'plating cell, a framework between said uncoiler and said cell, and rolls carried by said framework over which the strip passes, the combination with said framework of a marking device comprising support means adjustably carried by said framework, a shaft rotatably mounted on said support means and extending transversely: of the strip, a burnishing brush of less width than the strip carried by said shaft in a position to contact a portion of the strip face bed. tween said uncoiler and said cell while leaving other portions of the same face transversely of said brush free of contact therewith, and drive means for rotating said shaft and said brush to produce a pattern consisting of individually visible burnished and unburnished areas alternating across the strip face. I r

7. A combination as defined in claim 6 in which said shaft carries a plurality of transversely spaced apart burnishing brushes each'of less Width than the strip and spacers separating said brushes to mark the strip with a pattern of stripes. V

8. In the operation of an electrotinning line, a method of marking the strip comprising moving uncoilecl strip in a path, contacting portions of one side of the moving strip with a rotating burnishing brush of less width than the strip, while leaving other portions of the same side transversely of the burnished portions free of such contact to form a pattern of individually visible stripes,

and subsequently electroplating both sides of said strip, the striped pattern remainingvisible after plating.

References Cited inthe fileof this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 358,767 Berlin Mar. 1, 1887 2,086,069 Bigby July 6, 193 7 2,114,161 Antisell Apr. 12, 1938 2,240,265 Nachtman Apr. 29, 1941 2,434,290 Schutte Jan. 13, 1948 OTHER REFERENCES The Iron Age, April 30, 1942, pages 29-44. 

8. IN THE OPERATION OF AN ELECTROTINNING LINE, A METHOD OF MARKING THE STRIP COMPRISING MOVING UNCOILED STRIP IN A PATH, CONTACTING PORTIONS OF ONE SIDE OF THE MOVING STRIP WITH A ROTATING BURNISHING BRUSH OF LESS WIDTH THAN THE STRIP, WHILE LEAVING OTHER PORTIONS OF THE SAME SIDE TRANSVERSELY OF THE BURNISHED PORTIONS FREE OF SUCH CONTACT TO FORM A PATTERN OF INDIVIDUALLY VISIBLE STRIPES, AND SUBSEQUENTLY ELECTROPLATING BOTH SIDES OF SAID STRIP, THE STRIPED PATTERN REMAINING VISIBLE AFTER PLATING. 